For Great Britain, the agreements will guarantee thousands of jobs at risk today. Boris Johnson ironically on the Labor leader calling him “a soldier at the service of the EU”
Nine years after the referendum on Brexit, London And Brussels They inaugurate a new phase in bilateral relationships. The United Kingdom and the European Union have reached an overall agreement to start a “reset” of the reports, culminating today in the first large UK-EU summit from the separation, hosted a Lancaster Housein the heart of London. As often happened in the key passages of the negotiation, the agreement was reached in extremis, during the night. «We must focus on practical and reasonable solutions, able to offer concrete benefits to our population. We are ready to collaborate with Europe, if this will help improve life in our country. It is time to look forward, to leave us old controversy and political battles, “the British prime minister told the British press Keir Starmer.
A defense agreement without returning to the Union
During the summit, a new pact for security and defense will also be signed, which will allow the British military industry to access the European Fund “SAFE – Security Action for Europe“, With an equipment of 150 billion euros. It is an opportunity that could generate economic growth and guarantee thousands of jobs in the United Kingdom. London will not fall into the single market or in the customs union, but intends to consolidate cooperation with the EU in the military field, especially in an increasingly unstable global context.
The Minister for relations with the EU and the head of the head of the government, Nick Thomas-Symonds, defined the agreement “a historic day, which opens a new chapter in the ties with Europe, for the benefit of British workers. Great Britain returns protagonist on the international scenario and the new strategic partnership between London and Brussels will translate, according to the minister, in concrete results on work, borders and cost of living “. According to the BBC Stormer He will sign two documents today with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der leyen and with the president of the European Council Antonio Costa. The first will be a joint declaration on the main future challenges to face together.
Common defense and deterrence against Moscow
Among the central points as the Daily Mail writes, there is a draft military agreement in which London will be able to access the EU Rearm Fund, also of 150 billion, provided that British companies participate in projects in the consortium with European companies. The kingdom must also pay an annual fee, as already happens for participation in the scientific program Horizonwith a contribution of 2.5 billion euros per year. However, France remains prudent: Paris fears that London gets too much, after leaving the EU. But an agreement is still close, also to contain the Russian threat. Another piece will be the formal entry of the United Kingdom into the “Fish“, The common foreign and security policy of the EU. This also explains the presence at the top of the high representative for foreign affairs, Kaja Kallas.
Fishing, concessions and internal controversies
The second document will concern other strategic areas, including the renewal of the post-Brexit fishing regime. London would have agreed to prolong the current status for another 12 years, allowing French and Nordic fishermen to operate as before in British waters. A concession that is infuriating Brexit supporters, starting with Nigel Farage, who spoke of “rendering” and accuses the government “of having sold off national sovereignty”. Downing Street He tries to defend himself, announcing 360 million investments to modernize the fishing fleet, enhance skills, support coastal tourism and expand fish exports. In addition, the agreement on phytosanitary controls will make the export of British products easier and less expensive.
Concerns in the Labor and Pressing of Farage
There is no shortage of internal political tensions. The deputies of the so -called “red wall” – the former Laburist strongholds of the North – fear that Starmer is making too much concessions in Brussels, thus fueling the consent for Farage And his reform UK party. To reassure them, the premier meets them in the evening a Westminster. According to the polls, the new understanding with the EU is appreciated by the majority of citizens, especially for the perspectives offered to young people and for the positive effects on the economy. London includes an impact of almost 9 billion more pounds for GDP by 2040, thanks to the simplification of exchanges. However, critics argue that the prime minister was “put to the grip”, raising strong perplexities on the ground granted by the United Kingdom in exchange for easier commercial relations and potential costs for taxpayers. Boris Johnson, For his part, he ironized the Labor leader calling him “a soldier at the service of the EU”.
Plus exports, less controls
From a commercial point of view, the agreement eliminates numerous checks on animal and vegetable products, reducing costs for companies and promoting the return of products such as British hamburgers and sausages on the EU market. On the counterpart, London will have to align himself with some European standards, which will still infuriate again Farage. The document also includes close collaboration in the field of migration (fundamental), safety and fight against terrorism and organized crime. The United Kingdom It will have access to European facial biometric data to facilitate the identification of criminals. Coordination on energy policies is also provided, to reduce emissions and costs.
Youth Mobility and Erasmus knot
Among the most awaited news, the agreement provides for a bilateral youth mobility mechanism for Under 30, which will be able to work and study in their respective countries for limited periods, without access to welfare systems. The conditions – numbers, duration, criteria – will be defined in the coming months. On the return to the program ErasmusLondon remains cautious: it could accept discounted straight lines for Europeans, but not at the level of subsidized rates for British students. News also for those traveling with animals: the “Pet Passport” will be introduced, which will replace the health certificates on each trip. Now all these documents must be approved in London and in the 27 EU Member States. A press conference with Starmer, Von der Leyen and Costa will follow. The three leaders, together with Kaja Kallasthey will then participate in an official lunch on the HMS Sutherland war ship. Von der leyen he would have preferred an academic context, but the international agenda today imposes maximum support for Ukraine and allies, also in light of the call expected between Donald Trump And Vladimir Putin.
